The Human Soul

Background

The moment the four races split from one another is a mystery, something speculated upon by scholars, a question people and orders have devoted their lives to studying. While the belief in the four races in popular memory has devolved into little more than superstition, those who study at certain research centers and those within the Temple know for certain of their existence. A secondary question that follows shortly after is: If there are four races, why is there a single People's Soul?

The answer widely agreed upon by scholars is that there isn't. Or, more precisely, that there is, but also four subsequent sub-souls for each of the four races. When this notion arises the Temple often falls under attack for having the People's Soul as a Cardinal Soul, rather than the Human's Soul.

The Temple's official statement on the matter is as follows:

While we acknowledge the existence of the Human's Soul,

The matter of their involvement with our people has yet to be seen.

It is believed that the Humans Soul has taken a respite,

Removed from the world in the way we know the Souls to be.

In what way they've been removed we know not,

Though many hypotheses have been put forward.

The most credible prediction being that the Human's Soul is in a sort of hibernation within the House of the Superior, though they have not answered our calls for questioning.

The phenomenon of a hibernating soul has been recorded before, though the how and the why are still up for debate. Hibernating Souls previously examined took the appearance or physical form of stones and gems, some were placed into artifacts that were then enhanced in various ways. For example a necklace laden with a soul of lust would give the wearer an unnatural beauty or a higher sex drive, making them either more appealing or more willing, sometimes even both. Another example would be a sword with a soul of battle would often give the wielder a higher bloodlust or greater accuracy or stamina. The affect of the stones being shaped for these artifacts on the souls themselves is also uncertain.

The Human's Soul

The Human's Soul, however, has been kept under lock and key by the House of the Superior, and is considered a legendary artifact by the Temple and Archives around the continent. The Human's Soul is believed to take the shape and appearance of a diamond-cut blood-red gem. The last record of it had it inlaid on a circlet for a princess of Geld, before being removed and whisked away by the House of the Superior.

The effects/enhancements of donning the Human Soul are currently unknown to those outside of the House of the Superior.

Also Known As

There are several names for the soul:

• The Human Soul
• The Human's Soul
• The Soul of Man
• The Blood of Man

Item type

Religious / Ritualistic